Waiting in the school pickup line by yourself for your school-aged kids is already a test of patience. But honestly, it’s 10 times worse when you have a restless toddler in tow (I had twin toddlers just a few years ago, so I remember how tough it was!). Keeping toddlers entertained and happy in the car equates to keeping your sanity.
The good news is that you don’t need to spend money on fancy toys or gadgets. Just a bit of preparation and creativity. Here are over 20 free ideas to occupy toddlers in the car while you wait for their older sibling(s).
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Preparation is Key
To ensure these activities go smoothly, a little preparation helps. Create a small car-friendly activity bag with items you likely already have at home, like crayons, stickers, or old magazines.
Note – I’m not a lawyer, but I feel like I gotta say this…. Always prioritize safety by avoiding small items that could be choking hazards.
20+ Free Ideas to Occupy Toddlers in the Car
Let’s dive into some easy, cost-free ideas that your little one will love. I’ve divided these toddler-friendly activities into 5 categories:
- Interactive – when you have the time and energy to dive into the games with your little ones
- Independent – when you just need a bit of a break or have some things (like work) you need to catch up on
- Learning – we moms all love a session to get a bit of education in them, right?
- Imaginative – let those little minds wonder and dream big!
- Physical – ‘cause we all need to get our wiggles out, right? 😂
Interactive Activities
These activities are perfect for toddlers who enjoy hands-on interaction with you:
1. I Spy (Toddler Version): Keep it simple by asking, “I spy something blue!” and letting them guess.
2. “What Sound Does It Make?”: Brush off your Lion King and take turns with your child making animal (or vehicle sounds) and guess what they are.
3. Sing-Alongs: Classics like “Wheels on the Bus” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” are great options.
4. Hand Games: Play clapping games like “Pat-a-Cake” or teach them simple finger rhymes.
5. Storytelling Together: Start a story and let your toddler add details, even if it’s silly or nonsensical!
6. Echo Game: Say a silly word or phrase and have your toddler repeat it back like an echo. Switch roles for extra fun.
Quiet, Independent Activities
For moments when you need quiet time:
7. Sticker Play: Use stickers and let your toddler stick them on paper or waxed surfaces for easy removal.
8. DIY Busy Board: A piece of cardboard with Velcro strips, buttons, or zippers can keep little hands occupied.
9. Draw on Foggy Windows: When windows fog up, let them “draw” with their fingers. (Bonus: It cleans the fog away!)
10. Sorting Game: Provide small items like colored paper scraps or toys for sorting by color or shape.
11. “Matching Game” with Socks: Bring a few mismatched socks from home for a fun matching activity.
12. Drawing: Just good old fashioned paper and crayons and ask them to draw their favorite animal, or your family, even what they see out the window.
Learning-Based Activities
Turn waiting time into a mini learning session. Some of these overlap a bit with the “I Spy” interactive activities.
13. ABC Practice: Point out letters on street signs or license plates.
14. Counting Game: Count cars, birds, or clouds outside.
15. Color Spotting: Choose a color and find objects outside that match.
16. Shape Hunt: Look for shapes in the environment, like circles (wheels) or rectangles (signs).
17. Animal Guessing Game: Describe an animal’s sounds or movements for your toddler to guess.
Imaginative Play Activities
Encourage creativity with these pretend play ideas:
18. Pretend Driving: Give your toddler a cardboard toy steering wheel to mimic driving like you.
19. Invisible Friend Conversations: Spark their imagination with chats about their “invisible friend.”
20. Mini Role-Play Scenarios: Pretend the car is a spaceship, submarine, or train, and describe your “journey.”
21. Pretend Cooking: Pretend the car is a kitchen, and your toddler can “make” you meals by pretending to mix, bake, and serve food from their “restaurant.”
Physical Activities (Safe for Car Seats)
Help toddlers burn energy safely:
22. Stretching Arms and Fingers: Teach simple stretches like reaching for the sky or wiggling fingers. Perhaps Itsy Bitsy Spider?
23. Car Seat Dance Party: Raise your hands in the air!! Wave around like you just don’t care! Play a favorite upbeat song and get down – wiggle hands, clap, move legs, and jive —all while safely strapped in their car seat. You might want to join in!
3 Tips for Success
- Adjust for Interests: Pay attention to which types of activities your toddler enjoys most.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Toddlers have short attention spans, so be ready to switch things up every few minutes BUT
- Rotate Activities: Don’t offer all the options at once; save some ideas for future car rides. Mom’s got to keep it new and interesting, right?
With these free ideas to keep toddlers occupied in the car, school pickup time shouldn’t be a stressful part of your day. With these free and easy ideas, hopefully waiting in the car is a bit more fun and engaging for your toddler. Try out a few of these free ideas to occupy toddlers in the car and see what sparks joy for your little one—and yourself!
Have a favorite car activity for toddlers? Share it in the comments below and help other moms make the most of their waiting time.
